Re: living in DR
Well, as allready said, it is pretty safe over here! (I do not know to much about safety in the US anyway!) It depends where you are going to live, as there are "good" and "bad" sectors in town just like anywhere!
If you are going to live in Santo Domingo, we have very good bilengual schools over here like Saint George, American school etc. (all private) Public schools are rather essential!
For the health system - you definitly would need a health insurance, where we do have various good companies! I do recomend this to any person living here, as a stay in a hospital over here can be very expensive (and by ways not the same standard as you will encounter in the US!). Some places are better and you would have to check with the company you wish to secure yourself, if they have contracts (associates) with the doctors / centers you want to go!
The banks over here are about as you will find them anywhere else, just keep in mind not having to much cash on the account rather than investing it into depostit certs so you get an interest on it! (Up to 20 %)
Any further questions? - Just ask here or give me a mail!
Henry